2017 Season Countdown: #75b Brad Hawkins, Jr.

2017 Season Countdown: #75b Brad Hawkins, Jr.


June 8, 2017

Brad Hawkins, Jr. (image via Scout)

Note: I did a silly thing and left a guy off the countdown who’s up the list a bit, so I’ll have a 75A and a 75B.

Name: Brad Hawkins, Jr.
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 205 lbs.
High school: Suffield (CT) Suffield Academy
Position: Safety
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: I ranked Hawkins #83 before we found out he was going to prep school.
TTB Rating: 79

Hawkins originally committed to Michigan in the summer of 2015 as a wide receiver prospect for the class of 2017. He was a teammate of Ron Johnson, Jr. at Camden (NJ) Camden, as well as center Cesar Ruiz before Ruiz transferred to Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy. Hawkins played on both sides of the ball, but I initially liked him more as a receiver. Then we found out that he was headed to prep school for a year, and he played receiver at Suffield Academy.

Ironically, I like him more now as a safety. I think he got a little more explosive since his original commitment, and his size and ball skills may lend themselves to playing the safety position well. Michigan doesn’t have much experience at safety – a true junior and a true sophomore, who have been backups until now, appear to be the starters – but there’s enough talent and depth to get Michigan through a season. I expect Hawkins to redshirt, especially after mainly focusing on wide receiver in 2016, but he has a chance to play a backup role.

Prediction: Redshirt

2 comments

  1. Comments: 6285
    Joined: 8/11/2015
    Lanknows
    Jun 08, 2017 at 8:28 PM

    Seems a bit high to me but we’re firmly in the realm of freshman who probably won’t contribute much unless there is an injury or unexpected failures ahead of them.

    Given his age and the lack of experienced DBs, I have doubts that Hawkins will red-shirt. But his contributions may well be limited to special teams.

  2. Comments: 262
    Joined: 8/12/2015
    Painter Smurf
    Jun 08, 2017 at 9:40 PM

    Will be interesting to see how Hawkins adapts to safety. He has a legit shot to compete with Woods and JKP in fall camp. They are both ahead of Hawkins no doubt and his defensive instincts are TBD, but Hawkins is arguably the most physically impressive of the three.

    His prep film is terrific. Not a true burner, but his acceleration and cutting abilities are impressive for his size. Also has great body control and overall coordination. Would be an early contributor on offense had UM not recruited multiple stud WR’s in ’17.

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